Decoupling device, antenna system with the decoupling device and decoupling method thereof

Abstract

A decoupling device in an antenna system includes a ground plane, a decoupling element, a switching element, and at least two matching circuits. The decoupling element is disposed between two adjacent antennas, and the decoupling element and the two adjacent antennas are coupled to the ground plane. The switching element is disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the decoupling element. The at least two matching circuits are disposed on the ground plane and are respectively coupled to the switching element. The switching element switches according to the operating frequency band of a communication element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits to the decoupling element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an antenna system, and more particularly to a decoupling device, an antenna system using the decoupling device, and a decoupling method. Prior Technology

[0002] Modern electronic devices strive for lightweight, thin, short, and small designs, resulting in high screen-to-body ratios and narrow bezels. This design trend reduces the available space for antennas and brings them closer together, causing interference when two antennas operate on the same frequency band. Furthermore, when two antennas are too close, current from one antenna can flow to the other through the ground plane, reducing the isolation between them.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a decoupling device, antenna system, and decoupling method that can improve the isolation between antennas. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a decoupling device for an antenna system, comprising a ground plane, a decoupling element, a switching element, and at least two matching circuits. The decoupling element is disposed between two adjacent antennas, and the decoupling element and the two adjacent antennas are coupled to the ground plane. The switching element is disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the decoupling element. The at least two matching circuits are disposed on the ground plane and are respectively coupled to the switching element. The switching element switches according to the operating frequency band of a communication element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits to the decoupling element.

[0005] In some embodiments, the ground plane further includes two grooves, with the decoupling element spaced apart from the two adjacent antennas by the two grooves respectively.

[0006] In some implementations, each of the at least two matching circuits includes a filter circuit formed by at least one inductor and at least one capacitor in a T-shaped or π-shaped configuration.

[0007] In some implementations, two adjacent antennas are mounted on an antenna board. When the antenna board and the ground plane are assembled, the two adjacent antennas are coupled to the ground plane through two spring contacts on the ground plane.

[0008] In some embodiments, the decoupling device further includes a control element that detects the operating frequency band of the communication element.

[0009] In some implementations, when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a first frequency band, it switches the switching element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits, the first matching circuit, to the decoupling element; and when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a second frequency band, it switches the switching element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits, the second matching circuit, to the decoupling element.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an antenna system including a ground plane, at least two adjacent antennas, a decoupling element, a first switching element, a communication element, a control element, and at least two matching circuits. The at least two adjacent antennas are coupled to the ground plane. The decoupling element is coupled to the ground plane and disposed between the at least two adjacent antennas. The first switching element is disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the decoupling element. The at least two matching circuits are disposed on the ground plane and respectively coupled to the first switching element. The communication element is coupled to the at least two matching circuits. The control element is coupled to the communication element and is used to detect the operating frequency band of the communication element and switch one of the at least two matching circuits coupled to the first switching element to the decoupling element.

[0011] In some embodiments, the antenna system further includes a second switching element disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the at least two matching circuits, and the communication element is coupled to the at least two matching circuits through the second switching element.

[0012] In some implementations, when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a first frequency band, the first switching element and the second switching element are switched to be coupled to one of the at least two matching circuits, namely a first matching circuit, so that the first matching circuit is coupled to the decoupling element; and when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a second frequency band, the first switching element and the second switching element are switched to be coupled to one of the at least two matching circuits, namely a second matching circuit, so that the second matching circuit is coupled to the decoupling element.

[0013] In some implementations, the communication element is a wireless network communication element.

[0014] In some implementations, the first frequency band is 2.4 GHz and the second frequency band is 5 GHz.

[0015] In some implementations, each of the at least two matching circuits includes a filter circuit formed by at least one inductor and at least one capacitor in a T-shaped or π-shaped configuration.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a decoupling method for use in an antenna system, wherein the antenna system includes a communication element and a decoupling element is disposed between two adjacent antennas. The method includes: detecting the operating frequency band of the communication element; when the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a first frequency band, switching the switching element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits (a first matching circuit) to the decoupling element; and when the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a second frequency band, switching the switching element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits (a second matching circuit) to the decoupling element.

[0017] In some implementations, each of the at least two matching circuits includes a filter circuit formed by at least one inductor and at least one capacitor in a T-shaped or π-shaped configuration.

[0018] The decoupling device, antenna system, and decoupling method proposed in this case, in addition to reducing the current from one antenna flowing through the coupled ground plane to other antennas and affecting them by placing a decoupling element between the two antennas, also include multiple matching circuits for adjusting the electronic length of the decoupling element, each coupled to a switching element. Therefore, by detecting the operating frequency band of the antenna system's communication elements, the switching element can be controlled to select a corresponding matching circuit in the operating frequency band for decoupling, thereby improving the isolation between antennas. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a decoupling device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an antenna system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4A shows a schematic diagram of a matching circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B shows a schematic diagram of a matching circuit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the antenna board and ground plane assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a decoupling method according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. Implementation

[0020] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various features of the invention. Elements and configurations in the specific examples are used in the following discussion to simplify this disclosure. Any examples discussed are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the scope or meaning of the invention or its examples. Furthermore, numerical symbols and / or letters may be repeatedly referenced in different examples; such repetitions are for simplification and explanation and do not themselves specify the relationship between the different embodiments and / or configurations discussed below.

[0021] Unless otherwise specified, the terms used throughout this specification and the claims generally have their ordinary meaning in the context of the art, the disclosure, and the specific content. Certain terms used to describe this disclosure will be discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in describing the disclosure.

[0022] The terms "coupled" or "connected" as used in this article can refer to two or more components making direct physical or electrical contact with each other, or making indirect physical or electrical contact with each other. "Coupled" or "connected" can also refer to two or more components operating or moving with each other.

[0023] In this document, the terms first, second, third, etc., are used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or blocks, which is understandable. However, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or blocks should not be limited by these terms. These terms are limited to identifying a single element, component, region, layer, and / or block. Therefore, a first element, component, region, layer, and / or block in the following text may also be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, and / or block without departing from the spirit of the invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the listed related items. "And / or" as used in this document refers to any combination of any, all, or at least one of the listed elements.

[0024] Due to the current requirements for lightweight, thin, short, and small electronic devices, the space available for antennas has become smaller. Furthermore, as antennas become increasingly closer together, when two antennas operate on the same frequency band, current from one antenna can flow through the coupled ground plane to the other, resulting in poor isolation between the antennas. Therefore, the decoupling device, antenna system, and decoupling method in this invention, in addition to reducing the current from one antenna flowing through the coupled ground plane to other antennas by placing a decoupling element between the two antennas, also includes multiple matching circuits for adjusting the electronic length of the decoupling element, each coupled to a switching element. This allows the switching element to select a corresponding matching circuit within the operating frequency band of the antenna system's communication elements for decoupling, thereby improving the isolation between antennas.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an antenna system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the antenna system 100 is disposed in an electronic device, wherein the antenna system 100 has a decoupling device 101 for improving the isolation between the antennas of the antenna system 100. The electronic device is selected from a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a smartphone. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned electronic devices.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the antenna system 100 includes a ground plane 120, a decoupling device 101, at least two adjacent antennas 102 and 104, a switching element 114, a communication element 118, and a control element 116. The decoupling device 101 is disposed between the two adjacent antennas 102 and 104 to provide different decoupling paths for antennas 102 and 104 according to the operating frequency band of the antenna system 100, thereby improving the isolation between antennas 102 and 104. It is worth noting that this embodiment uses two antennas 102 and 104 as an example to illustrate the application of this invention; however, in other embodiments, the antenna system 100 may include more than two antennas.

[0027] In some embodiments, the decoupling device 101 further includes a decoupling element 106, a switching element 108, and at least two matching circuits 110 and 112. The decoupling element 106 is disposed between two adjacent antennas 102 and 104, and the decoupling element 106 and the two adjacent antennas 102 and 104 are disposed on one side of the ground plane 120 and coupled to the ground plane 120. The switching element 108 and the two matching circuits 110 and 112 are disposed on the ground plane 120. In some embodiments, the decoupling element 106 is used to prevent current from flowing from one antenna to the other antenna when the two antennas 102 and 104 are operating in the same frequency band, thereby affecting the operation of the other antenna. In some embodiments, the decoupling element 106 is a metal wire segment with a length of one-quarter or one-half wavelength. However, when applied to multi-band antenna operation, the wavelengths of different frequency bands are different. A decoupling element 106 with a single electron length cannot improve the isolation between different frequency bands. Therefore, the decoupling device 101 of this invention uses at least two matching circuits 110 and 112, each coupled to the decoupling element 106 via a switching element 108, to provide different decoupling paths. In some embodiments, the switching element 108 is used to select one of the two matching circuits 110 and 112 to couple to the decoupling element 106, thereby adjusting the electron length of the decoupling element 106 to increase the applicable frequency bands for decoupling. It is worth noting that the above embodiments use only two matching circuits 110 and 112 to adjust the electron length of the decoupling element 106. However, in other embodiments, a corresponding number of matching circuits can be configured according to the number of operating frequency bands of the antenna system.

[0028] In some embodiments, the control element 116 of the antenna system 100 can detect the operating frequency band of the communication element 118 to control the switching element 108 of the decoupling device 101 to select one of the two matching circuits 110 and 112 to couple to the decoupling element 106. In some embodiments, the antenna system 100 further includes a switching element 114 disposed on the ground plane 120, wherein the switching element 114 is coupled to the two matching circuits 110 and 112 of the decoupling device 101, the control element 116, and the communication element 118. Therefore, the control element 116 can detect the operating frequency band of the communication element 118 through the switching element 114 to switch the switching element 108 and the switching element 114, selecting one of the two matching circuits 110 and 112 to couple to the decoupling element 106 and the communication element 118.

[0029] In some embodiments, the communication element 118 may operate in at least two frequency bands, a first frequency band and a second frequency band. Matching circuit 110 is used to provide a decoupling path when the communication element 118 operates in the first frequency band, and matching circuit 112 is used to provide a decoupling path when the communication element 118 operates in the second frequency band. Accordingly, when control element 116 detects through switching element 114 that the communication element 118 of antenna system 100 is operating in the first frequency band, as shown in Figure 1, control element 116 will control switching elements 108 and 114 to switch, selecting matching circuit 110 to couple to decoupling element 106 and communication element 118, thereby improving the isolation of antennas 102 and 104 when operating in the first frequency band. On the other hand, if the control element 116 detects through the switching element 114 that the communication element 118 of the antenna system 100 is operating in the second frequency band, as shown in Figure 2, the control element will control the switching elements 108 and 114 to switch, thereby selecting the matching circuit 112 to be coupled to the decoupling element 106 and the communication element 118, improving the isolation of the antennas 102 and 104 when operating in the second frequency band. In some embodiments, the first frequency band may be 2.4 GHz and the second frequency band may be 5 GHz, but this invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an antenna system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The difference between antenna system 200 and antenna system 100 lies in the design of the ground plane 122. In some embodiments, the ground plane 122 further includes two trenches 130 and 132. Trench 130 is disposed between antenna 102 and decoupling element 106, and trench 132 is disposed between antenna 104 and decoupling element 106. Therefore, decoupling element 106 is separated from the two antennas 102 and 104 by trenches 130 and 132, respectively. In some embodiments, by providing trenches 130 and 132, the current flowing into the ground plane 122 from antennas 102 and 104 can be prevented from flowing directly to the other antenna before reaching matching circuits 110 and 112, thus avoiding interference with the operation of the other antenna. In some embodiments, by disconnecting the ground plane 122 through the trench 130, the current flowing into the ground plane 122 from the antenna 102 can reliably reach the matching circuit 110 and then flow into the decoupling element 106 through the switching element 108. Similarly, by disconnecting the ground plane 122 through the trench 132, the current flowing into the ground plane 122 from the antenna 104 can reliably reach the matching circuit 112 and then flow into the decoupling element 106 through the switching element 108.

[0031] In some embodiments, matching circuits 110 and 112 can be implemented using filter circuits, such as L-type filter circuits, π-type filter circuits, or T-type filter circuits. Figure 4A shows a schematic diagram of the matching circuit of this invention implemented using a T-type filter circuit according to a preferred embodiment. The T-type filter 410 includes two inductors 412 and 413 and a capacitor 414. Inductors 412 and 413 are connected in series, and one end of capacitor 414 is electrically connected between inductors 412 and 413, while the other end is grounded, thus forming a T-type filter structure with inductors 412 and 413.

[0032] Figure 4B shows a schematic diagram of the matching circuit of this invention implemented using a π-type filter circuit according to another preferred embodiment. The π-type filter 420 includes an inductor 422 and two capacitors 423 and 424. One end of capacitor 423 is connected to one end of inductor 422, and the other end is grounded. One end of capacitor 424 is connected to the other end of inductor 422, and the other end is grounded, thus forming a π-type filter circuit with inductor 422 and capacitor 423.

[0033] In some embodiments, antennas 102 and 104 and decoupling element 106 are fed by spring clips. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the antenna board and ground plane assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, antennas 102 and 104 are disposed on an antenna board 500, and two spring clips 140 and 142 are disposed on ground plane 120 or 122. When the antenna board 500 and ground plane 120 or 122 are assembled, the two spring clips 140 and 142 disposed on ground plane 120 or 122 are coupled to the two antennas 102 and 104, thereby feeding them in this manner.

[0034] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a decoupling method according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. It should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, the order of operations of the decoupling method 600 mentioned in this embodiment can be adjusted as needed, and may even be performed simultaneously or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, in different embodiments, these operations can be adaptively added, replaced, and / or omitted. Please refer to Figures 1 through 3 simultaneously.

[0035] The decoupling method 600 of this invention includes steps 610 to 614, wherein the operating frequency band of the communication element is detected in step 610. In some embodiments, the control element 116 can detect the operating frequency band of the communication element 118 through the switching element 114 to control the switching elements 108 and 114, selecting one of the two matching circuits 110 and 112 to couple the decoupling element 106 and the communication element 118.

[0036] Next, in step 612, when the operating frequency band of the communication element is in the first frequency band, the control switching element is coupled to the first matching circuit to the decoupling element and the communication element. And in step 614, when the operating frequency band of the communication element is in the second frequency band, the control switching element is coupled to the second matching circuit to the decoupling element and the communication element. In some embodiments, if the first matching circuit, such as matching circuit 110, is used to provide a decoupling path when the communication element 118 operates in the first frequency band, and the second matching circuit, such as matching circuit 112, is used to provide a decoupling path when the communication element 118 operates in the second frequency band, then when the control element 116 detects through the switching element 114 that the communication element 118 of the antenna system 100 is operating in the first frequency band, the control element will control the switching elements 108 and 114 to switch, coupling the matching circuit 110 to the decoupling element 106 and the communication element 118. When the control element 116 detects through the switching element 114 that the communication element 118 of the antenna system 100 is operating in the second frequency band, the control element will control the switching elements 108 and 114 to switch, and couple the matching circuit 112 to the decoupling element 106 and the communication element 118.

[0037] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the decoupling device, antenna system, and decoupling method of this invention, in addition to reducing the current of one antenna flowing through the coupled ground plane to other antennas and affecting them by setting a decoupling element between the two antennas, also include multiple matching circuits for adjusting the electronic length of the decoupling element, each coupled to a switching element. Therefore, by detecting the operating frequency band of the antenna system's communication elements, the switching element can be controlled to select a corresponding matching circuit under the operating frequency band for decoupling, thereby improving the isolation between antennas.

[0038] Furthermore, the above examples include sequential exemplary steps, but these steps need not be performed in the order shown. Performing these steps in different orders is within the scope of this disclosure. Within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, these steps may be added, substituted, changed in order, and / or omitted as appropriate.

[0039] Although the embodiments have been disclosed above, they are not intended to limit the scope of this case. Anyone skilled in the art may make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this case. Therefore, the scope of protection of this case shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0040] 100, 200: Antenna System 101: Decoupling device 102, 104: Antenna 106: Decoupling element 108: Switching element 110, 112: Matching circuit 114: Switching element 116: Control element 118: Communication Components 120, 122: Flooring 130, 132: Trench 140, 142: Shrapnel 410: T-type filter 420: π-type filter 412, 413, 422: Inductors 414, 423, 424: Capacitors 500: Antenna board 600: Decoupling Methods 610-614: Steps

[0041] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number) none Overseas storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) none

Claims

1. A decoupling device for use in an antenna system, comprising: One floor; A decoupling element is disposed between two adjacent antennas, wherein the decoupling element and the two adjacent antennas are coupled to the ground plane; A switching element is disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the decoupling element; At least two matching circuits are disposed on the ground plane and respectively coupled to the switching element. The switching element is used to select one of the at least two matching circuits to be coupled to the decoupling element. The switching element switches according to the operating frequency band of a communication element to couple one of the at least two matching circuits to the decoupling element.

2. The decoupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ground plane further includes two grooves, and the decoupling element is spaced apart from the two adjacent antennas by the two grooves respectively.

3. The decoupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least two matching circuits includes a filter circuit formed by at least one inductor and at least one capacitor in a T-shaped or π-shaped configuration.

4. The decoupling device as described in claim 1, wherein the two adjacent antennas are disposed on an antenna board, and when the antenna board and the ground plane are assembled, the two adjacent antennas are coupled to the ground plane through two spring contacts on the ground plane.

5. The decoupling device as described in claim 1 further includes a control element for detecting the operating frequency band of the communication element.

6. The decoupling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a first frequency band, the switching element is switched to couple the first matching circuit of the at least two matching circuits to the decoupling element, and when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a second frequency band, the switching element is switched to couple the second matching circuit of the at least two matching circuits to the decoupling element.

7. An antenna system, comprising: One floor; At least two adjacent antennas are coupled to this ground plane; A decoupling element is coupled to the ground plane, and the decoupling element is disposed between the at least two adjacent antennas; A first switching element is disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the decoupling element; at least two matching circuits are disposed on the ground plane and respectively coupled to the first switching element, wherein the first switching element is used to select one of the at least two matching circuits to be coupled to the decoupling element; A communication element is coupled to the at least two matched circuits; A control element is coupled to the communication element to detect the operating frequency band of the communication element and switch the first switching element coupled to one of the at least two matching circuits to the decoupling element.

8. The antenna system as described in claim 7 further includes a second switching element disposed on the ground plane and coupled to the at least two matching circuits, wherein the communication element is coupled to the at least two matching circuits through the second switching element.

9. The antenna system as claimed in claim 8, wherein when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a first frequency band, the first switching element and the second switching element are switched to be jointly coupled to one of the at least two matching circuits, a first matching circuit, so that the first matching circuit is coupled to the decoupling element; and when the control element detects that the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a second frequency band, the first switching element and the second switching element are switched to be jointly coupled to one of the at least two matching circuits, a second matching circuit, so that the second matching circuit is coupled to the decoupling element.

10. The antenna system as described in claim 9, wherein the communication element is a wireless network communication element.

11. The antenna system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first frequency band is 2.4 GHz and the second frequency band is 5 GHz.

12. The antenna system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the at least two matching circuits includes a filter circuit formed by at least one inductor and at least one capacitor in a T-shaped or π-shaped configuration.

13. A decoupling method for an antenna system, wherein the antenna system includes a communication element, a decoupling element disposed between two adjacent antennas, a switching element coupled to the decoupling element, and at least two matching circuits respectively coupled to the switching element, the switching element being used to select one of the at least two matching circuits coupled to the decoupling element, the method comprising: Detect the operating frequency band of the communication element; When the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a first frequency band, the switching element is switched to couple one of the at least two matching circuits, the first matching circuit, to the decoupling element; and when the operating frequency band of the communication element is in a second frequency band, the switching element is switched to couple one of the at least two matching circuits, the second matching circuit, to the decoupling element.

14. The decoupling method as described in claim 13, wherein each of the at least two matching circuits includes a filter circuit formed by at least one inductor and at least one capacitor in a T-shaped or π-shaped configuration.

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